Audioengine has left very tangible imprint on the high end and computer audio markets. Their products allow ordinary people, who aspire to better sound, to connect a source directly to a loudspeaker with the minimal cabling and boxes. Audioengine speakers are attractive, engineered with care, and ruggedly built.

Having heard a number of Audioengine speakers at shows and then reviewing their A2+ desktop speaker/DAC, it's safe to say I know a little bit about their products. The A2+ were one of the most enjoyable products I have spent time with. And, especially considering the bargain $250 price, they produce sound far bigger than their diminutive size would indicate, and are finished to very high standard.

Audioengine also design and manufacturer several DAC models, bluetooth wireless products, cables, and accessories, in addition their line of powered speakers. They also make a desktop amplifier and, what may get overlooked, passive speakers. One can assemble a complete system from the Audioengine product line, including a subwoofer!

HD6 Powered Speakers

Audioengine's most ambitious product -- and new flagship speaker -- is the HD6, which sells for $749/pair. Available in black, cherry, and walnut finishes, it's a leap forward for Audioengine design and feature sets. So what key features the HD6 bring to the table (desktop?)?

Looking at that list, I would expect the HD6's price to be quite a bit higher. Unboxing them in person makes this feeling even stronger. Everything exuded quality, including packaging and documentation. Build quality and workmanship are really first rate too. In my opinion, they are also the best looking Audioengine speaker produced to date. My review samples arrived in Walnut.

Key Features

What do you get for $749? According to Audioengine:

-Audioengine designs and manufactures our own speaker drivers and other critical components. In other words, the HD6 is not a “box-built" system with off-the-shelf parts, but includes custom-designed components constructed to our specifications. What we do not fabricate directly inside our factories we have made to our specific designs - parts such as circuit boards, transformers, magnets, and wiring harnesses, for example.

-The speaker cabinets, drivers, innovative bass port designs, amplifiers, and passive crossovers are all critically tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires less power than passive speakers.